17 May 2007, 23:33
"Memorial": Kuznetsov is the first Chechnya's Public Prosecutor with whom we can cooperate
After Valery Kuznetsov's appointment to the position of the Public Prosecutor of Chechnya, positive changes have been observed in investigation of the crimes committed by employees of Chechnya's power agencies. Natalia Estemirova, employee of the representative office of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" in the capital of Chechnya, who is closely contacting the bodies of the Public Prosecutor's Office in her work, has explained this to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
"I don't want to sing doxologies to Kuznetsov, but this is the person with whom we've started to cooperate. Contacts were impossible with Kravchenko or Chernov, when they were taking this post, the known human rights activist asserts.
"For example, the case of Malika Soltaeva (last year she was humiliated by militiamen of Agrun town of Chechnya, - notice of the "Caucasian Knot") was delivered to the court. The murder case supposedly against employees of one of power agencies on murdering a person in Argun is being investigated. Eighteen former employees of the Republic's Antiterrorist Centre and Militia Patrol-Sentry Service have been condemned for robberies. Criminal cases have been initiated against officials engaged in briberies, etc.", Natalia Estemirova has given some examples of successful work of the Chechen Public Prosecutor's Office under direction of Valery Kuznetsov.
The "Caucasian Knot" has already informed that the Public Prosecutor's Office of Chechnya has refuted the rumours on Valery Kuznetsov's dismissal. Next Monday, on May 21, he will resume performing his duties.
Author: Vyacheslav Feraposhkin, CK correspondent
